'80s Metal History (November 22nd)

November 1988: "Warlock Shock", Metal Hammer reported that a year after the release of their most successful album "Triumph And Agony", Warlock "no longer exists," now just called Doro.

November 22, 1985: Twisted Sister released their fourth studio album "Come Out And Play" in North America featuring a cover of the Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack" and a guest appearance by Alice Cooper on "Be Chrool To Your Scuel". Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - November 9, 1985.

November 1985: A promotional record for Dokken's "The Hunter", the first single from their forthcoming album "Under Lock and Key", was issued to American rock radio stations. The music video would hit MTV and the album released "in the US during December." Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - November 22, 1985; Kerrang! - November 28, 1985.

November 22, 1983: Y&T played the Dominion Theatre in London and a recording of the show became a popular bootleg until their first official live album "Open Fire" was released two years later.

November 22, 1982: Released a few days earlier in the UK, Ozzy Osbourne's live album "Speak Of The Devil" was now available in North America. Featuring Ozzy's solo band performing all Black Sabbath songs, it was recorded at The Ritz in New York City with Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) on guitar. Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - November 6, 1982; ; Billboard ad - November 20, 1982.

Recorded in the UK in 1980, but not issued until 1989 in Japan only (1993 in North America), Riot's first full-length live album, "Riot Live", was the band's last output with original vocalist Guy Speranza.

Happy Birthday to former DIO guitarist [1989-91] Rowan Robertson (November 22, 1971).

Happy Birthday to Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos (November 22, 1962), the primary songwriter and only consistent member since the band's founding.

Happy Birthday to former Metal Church singer [2003-09, 2012-14] Ronny Munroe (November 22, 1965). Ronny also sang for Vicious Rumors, Lillian Axe and Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Happy Birthday to former L.A. Guns guitarist and keyboardist [1985–95, 99-01] Mick Cripps (November 22, 1960).

Happy Birthday to Helix bassist Daryl Gray (November 22, 1958).

November 22, 1985: Guns N' Roses played The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California nearly eight months after their very first show at the same venue. Meanwhile, 30 minutes to the south in San Pedro, the band Hawk, featuring future Racer X and Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis, performed at The Waters Club. Hawk would get a record deal and release their first album in March 1986, well over a year before Guns N' Roses. In addition, future GnR drummer Matt Sorum played on the Hawk debut.

November 22, 1986: With Mark Slaughter on vocals, Vinnie Vincent Invasion performed at the infamous L’Amour of Brooklyn, New York. They opened with "Boyz Are Gonna Rock" and closed with KISS' "Lick It Up".